These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. (Phil 2:1-4)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110424.cfm
Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians is filled with optimism and joy. Paul invites the community (and us) to complete his joy by being united in mind and heart. Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) was present at the Council of Trent (1545-1563) that followed the Protestant Reformation. Instead of bemoaning the problems facing the church, Saint Charles chose optimism and went to work to correct them. Today’s photo is of the Cathedral of Milan, where Saint Charles was archbishop.
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mk 12:28b-34)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm
Having grown up with the politics of hate and division in segregated Alabama of the 1950’s and ’60’s, I was freed from the racism of my classmates by the faith and example of my mother and grandmother. My family taught me the stories of Jesus and how to live the greatest commandment that Jesus gave us: to love God and love neighbor. As we prepare for elections in the United States this Tuesday, we pray for the wisdom from above so that we may choose wisely those who will serve us in positions of trust and will help us to build a more perfect union.
If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. (Rom 6:3-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110224.cfm
Give rest, O Christ,
to thy servants with thy saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more;
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
(Russian Kontakion for the Departed, Orthodox Liturgy). Today's photo is of my grandmother and her brother at Bethel Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. And may their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb. Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen." (Rev 7:2-4, 9-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110124.cfm
The Feast of All Saints is the celebration of the heavenly Jerusalem as we remember all the saints, not only the official ones, but all the holy men and women who have touched our lives. And we praise the victory God has won in them, and we give thanks that we walk with the saints.
Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph 6:10-20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/103124.cfm
Our last reading from the Letter to the Ephesians asks us to be prepared for whatever may come, and to clothe ourselves with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, prayer, supplication, and the word of God. And when we are tired and not sure if we can hold on or if we can stand fast, we are reminded to draw our strength from the Lord and from his mighty power.
